Asus Zenbook is the way to experiences the ultrabook. The Zenbook is slim, fast and reliable machine with very reasonable price. I’m a huge fan of Asus Zenbook, and this blog is the way I appreciate the amazing Asus devices.

Asus introduces the Vivo Book S200E with Windows 8 OS for $550. The compact notebook comes with touchscreen and brushed aluminum housing. On battery life, the manufacturer promises five hours. The low weight of 2.9 pounds and the 11.6-inch screen, compact size promise an "Everywhere-like notebook". Multimedia also should not be forgotten: for connection to HDTV the Asus Vivo Book is equipped with an HDMI output. The stereo system has a surprisingly amazing sound quality for the music and movie playback.

Asus Vivo Book S202E Display

Asus built a 11.6 inch touch screen with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. The viewing angle is very large. A contrasting view is possible only as required. If the vertical viewing angle changes, the colors also invert quickly.

The brightness however, is not convinced. The display creates an average of just 156 cd / m². On bottom right the luminance is just 145 cd / m². The contrast ratio is 159:1, which is located in the lower area.

The screen reflects strong. Together with the low brightness the Vivo Book can not be used in bright condition and outdoor.

Design and Equipments

What is striking is the case of Asus Vivo Book S202, it mainly made of brushed aluminum. The dark gray cover is very prone to fingerprints. It looks better with the silver palm rest. Asus uses the underside dark gray frosted plastic.

The unit rests on four rubber-coated plastic feet that offer little grip. On smooth surfaces the Asus Vivo Book S202 can be moved around without too much exertion.

Plastic can also be found on the lid at the top. It is slightly wider than the aluminum backing. The display frame is made wide. The glass on the screen goes far beyond the actual surface. This facilitates in gestures and to the side of the touch-screen navigation. A small black frame completes the glass surface. Asus has built up two protruding rubber ridges as well as one on the left, right and bottom.

Front of the narrow metal power button, the manufacturer has milled a small depression in the housing. This looks like a shift knob of the switch, which is not the case.

The multi-touch pad, Asus has used something wrong. On the right below it is embedded deeply in all the other pages, it includes almost flush with the surface.

The rigidity of the display is sufficient. But the wide frame around the display looks like unstable.

The hinge itself remains quite well in the position once set; however, the screen wobbles even with light touches. This is particularly noticeable when touchscreen operation.

For a device of this size Asus equips quite generous with interfaces. On the left side you will find the Ethernet port, HDMI, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and a Kensington slot.

On the right Asus brings a VGA port, another USB 2.0 port, with a combined audio input and output, as well as the SD card reader.

If you look at the interface, then you realize that Ethernet and VGA require much more space than the aluminum frame provides. The manufacturer has placed them in the back and therefore leads the connections in the plastic bottom with one.

Since the Ethernet connector is too thick nevertheless, increases the Asus socket a small sprung flap. The Vivo Book LAN supports only up to 100 Mbit / s, default is now 1 GB / s

In Vivo Book installed five LEDs on the top. They indicate, for example, whether the Asus notebook is connected to Wi-Fi and a power outlet. One of the LEDs indicates disk access. The other two lights indicate the power and charging status.

Asus provides the device with 4GB of memory, which is soldered in place. Future expansion is not possible.

Input devices, sound and performance

The touch functionality is only under the Modern UI of Windows 8 sense, because the classic desktop view with the small buttons it is difficult to operate with your fingers.

The keys on the chiclet keyboard, Asus has pulled in width. That according to the manufacturer can prevent dust from entering the gaps. After a short adjustment period, it is well-typed on the keyboard.

The touchpad with gesture control falls out wide and feels unlike the keys to touch. Behind the surface hides two buttons that simulate the left and right mouse click.

The speakers have very pleasantly surprised. For a device of this class, they are not only loud, but the sound produced more than tidy. The bass is very convincing.

Performance

The test unit of Asus Vivo Book S202 uses an Intel Pentium 1.8 GHz Core i3-3217U. The dual-core processors are running at a clock speed of 1.8 GHz.

In 3D game "World in Conflict" Asus Vivo Book creates with medium details unplayable 7 fps, at a very low level of detail yet unpleasant 20 fps. Simpler titles like Microsoft's Adventure "Adera" by contrast, can easily play.

Noise and Temperature

The fans are rushing in idle status constantly with audible 34.3 dB (A). Under load, they turn to what can happen even when using basic applications such as iTunes. Under full load the Vivo Book reaches powerful 41.8 dB (A).

The heat is positive. However, the lower reaches under load up to 42 ° C, on the lap is unpleasantly warm. Cooler it comes to the palm rest. Here the surface temperature up to 29 ° C, the display edge to a maximum of 34 ° C.

Battery Life

The lithium polymer battery is achieved with two cells with a capacity of 30 watts. This ranges according to the manufacturer for a battery life of 5 hours, which we can not confirm at the lowest brightness in idle mode and turned off Wi-Fi. The Vivo Book switched off after about 5:20 hours.

For those that want to work with the notebook comes in a much shorter period of 2.5 hours. However, still no Wi-Fi and with a darkened screen. For a lecture at the University ranging from just possibly, for a whole working day is far too little. The battery can not move easily, the mobility is so limited.

Windows 8 is tough despite weak hardware. This can be seen too often when you start applications. The Modern UI can be combined with the touch screen or multi-touch pad, however pleasant to use liquid.

Positive waking up is noted from hibernation: After about 2 seconds the device is ready for use again. For booting the Vivo Book for a Windows 8 system needs, however, quite leisurely 36 seconds.

Asus provides some applications pre-installed with under the Modern UI. These include the Microsoft programs such as Skype and Solitaire.

Asus itself contributes a calculator, a units-converter, a product video and the Center setting. The adjustment center "in experimental status," as the manufacturer calls writes predominantly on standard Windows software, such as the Device Manager. In addition, one finds the "Asus Tutor", the basic controls of Windows 8 in text and explained with video.

Conclusion on Asus Vivo Book S202E Review

For simple office work, for watching videos, listening to music and surfing the net the Asus Vivo Book S202E shows a very good performance. Unfortunately the compact notebook is not suitable for outdoor due to strong screen reflection.

The mobility is limited by the poor battery performance. Even in a darkened screen it only lasts for a maximum of 2.5 hours. It has quite a bit to be recorded on the credit side: a lightweight, compact design, touch screen, multi-touch pad, aluminum design, a convenient interface selection and surprisingly good speakers.